Teen issues - Peer pressure

Hey guys! so i decided to ask people from my school about problems that they face on a everyday basis as teenagers. Upon conducting surveys, interviews etc, I found out that MOST of the problems that affect persons in my age group [teenagers] are:

Peer pressure

Lack of independence from parents

Getting a job

Getting money

Keeping up with fashion

Family problems

Relationship problems

Sex

School pressure

etc.....

I will try to deal with these issues separately because sometimes not all problems are linked/ intertwined. Lets first examine the issue of PEER PRESSURE.

I,myself, am a victim of this disease. [it's not actually a disease people -_-]. But at times I want to fit in and be part of whatever the "group" is doing. After all, they are your friends, so why not do the things they do?
I interviewed a friend who prefers to go by the name of "TEZ" and this is what he had to say about this issue.

Pookie: what are some of the issues you face a s a teenage boy?

Tez: Peer Pressure [thinks for a long while]....[looks around the room]...I do not work so I have to ask my parents all the time for money and that affects me because I want to be independent.

Pookie: How does peer pressure and this lack of independence intertwine?

Tez: Because in order to be independent you gotta have financial "backitive" to do stuff with your friends for example going out and buying clothes to go out etc etc.

Pookie: So what do you try to do in order to solve these problems?

Tez: I try to save my lunch money and do odd jobs around the house like painting and stuff.

Pookie: what do you think is easier to get rid of, the peer pressure or the lack of independence?

Tez: lack of independence because with age you get more responsible hence your parents will treat you differently and give you space to be yourself. However, no matter how old you get, you will always have friends who influence your thoughts and activities.

Pookie: what advice would you give teenagers with similar problems such as peer pressure and lack of independence?

Tez: don't let your friends' way of life influence you in everyway, try to choose what is best for you. And in terms of lack of independence, just try to be responsible and independence will follow. once your parents realize that  you are getting older and making wise choices then independence should follow.

Wise words coming from my friend "Tez". oh! and if you need more friend check out this video on how to get friends. but just do not let them influence you alot!!

EDIT: could not find the video i wanted :( but i hope this one helped too. In conclusion, here are a few tips on how to actually deal with peer pressure!!!!! :D
1. Be a leader, not a follower [except on twitter yall!! follow me! "paula_twinkle"]
2. Share your views with members of the group. how will they know you do not like something if you do not tell them? chances are, they will consider your point and realize its no worth doing watever it is in the first place.
3. Say "NO". its so simple. Someone can not FORCE you to do something that you do not want to do. it is against the law and they can go to jail etc etc.
4. Talk to someone else about what is going on in the group. If you talk to a fellow group member, they wouldnt think its wrong. so its best to talk to someone who is not apart of the group.
5. get new friends!! If you realize that your friends are not the type of people you should be hanging out with, get new friends. its free!!!